Iran Atomic Energy Organization: "U.S. violates international law… Nuclear program will not stop"

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has strongly protested the U.S. airstrike on nuclear facilities, declaring its stance that it will "never halt the progress of the nuclear industry." The organization claims that the United States' unilateral use of force violates international norms such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

According to Iranian state news agency IRNA on the 21st (local time), the AEOI stated in a press release, "Three key facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—came under a brutal attack by the U.S. military," criticizing that "this is an overt violation of international law, particularly the NPT." The organization, which oversees all nuclear technology in Iran, characterized the attack as a "serious infringement on national sovereignty." It added that the "International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is complicit with the U.S. in this crisis."

The atomic energy organization emphasized, "Iran’s nuclear industry is purely civilian and has always pursued peaceful purposes," and called on "the international community to condemn the U.S.’s unlawful attack and support Iran’s rights." The organization further stated that "the nuclear program, backed by the will of the people and scientific and technological capabilities, is a national industry that must never be brought to a halt" and made clear its intent to continue nuclear development.